Isaiah Likely Hints at Leaving Ravens in Free Agency

The tight end's 3-word quote suggests he may not return to Baltimore.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 9:08pm

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, an impending free agent, expressed his love for the city but also acknowledged that "business is business" when it comes to his future. With the Ravens recently signing fellow tight end Mark Andrews to a long-term deal, it appears unlikely they will be able to retain Likely at his market value of $8.8 million per year.

Why it matters

Likely's potential departure would be a significant loss for the Ravens, as he has shown promise as a young, talented tight end. His comments suggest he may be looking to maximize his value on the open market, which could price him out of Baltimore's plans.

The details

Likely, who was drafted by the Ravens in 2022, has developed into a solid contributor on offense. However, with the team's recent investment in Andrews, it seems unlikely they will be able to afford to keep Likely at his projected market value. In an interview, Likely expressed his love for Baltimore but also acknowledged that "business is business" when it comes to his future.

  • Likely is an impending free agent in the 2026 offseason.

The players

Isaiah Likely

A tight end for the Baltimore Ravens who is set to become a free agent in the 2026 offseason.

Mark Andrews

The Ravens' star tight end who recently signed a multi-year contract extension with the team.

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What they’re saying

“I love Baltimore. They took the chance on me when all 31 didn't. At the end of the day, I tell everybody Baltimore is home for me. But business is business, so I'm really just seeing what's going to happen.”

— Isaiah Likely

What’s next

Likely will likely test the free agent market in the 2026 offseason to see if he can find a better contract offer than what the Ravens are able to provide.

The takeaway

Likely's comments suggest the Ravens may have a difficult time retaining him this offseason, as he appears poised to seek a more lucrative deal elsewhere that better reflects his market value. This highlights the challenges teams face in keeping their young, talented players when they have already invested heavily in other key positions.